COD Offers New Music Business Degree, Audio Production Certificate

The new Music Business degree and Audio Production certificate at College of DuPage will prepare students for careers in the commercial music industry.

Both offerings have recently been approved by the Illinois Community College Board. The Associate in Applied Science Music Business degree combines a traditional music curriculum with business courses, allowing students to either transfer into a bachelor's program or find work within the industry.

"This degree is for music students who want a career beyond performance," said Ken Paoli, Professor of Music. "If they transfer to earn a bachelor's degree, they can start careers in such areas as music licensing and copyright or concert management. Or they might opt to further their education and go into entertainment law."

The curriculum features the traditional two-year music theory core study. This provides students with better transfer opportunities, Paoli said, as bachelor's programs at Elmhurst College, Milliken University, Bradley University and Western Illinois University all require the two-year core. In addition, the degree also requires basic business courses, including Financial Accounting, Introduction to Business, Principles of Management and Principles of Marketing, as well as Survey of Music Business.

Students not looking to transfer after earning their associate degree can find work in the music industry in sales, as marketing associates and as producers.

The Audio Production Certificate provides a sound base for students interested in a wide range of jobs, such as audio production at live venues and in recording studios. The 24-credit hour certificate includes one semester of the music theory core, two semesters of recording techniques, and classes in electronics, business and either computer science or physics.

Paoli worked closely with industry professionals in creating the certificate.

"This gives students an organized curriculum for studying audio production as opposed to their trying to learn it on their own," he said.

Students earning the Music Business degree can also obtain the Audio Production certificate. Both new offerings are excellent additions to College of DuPage's Music program, Paoli said.

"There are many students who realize that performance or music education may not be for them," he said. "Both the Music Business degree and Audio Production certificate open the door to a wide range of jobs within the music industry. They also enhance COD's reputation as having one of the best and most diverse music programs in the state."

For more information, email liberalarts@cod.edu, call (630) 942-2048 or visit www.cod.edu/programs/music.